We still have a lot of set to reveal, but are Pirates getting pulled in too many directions in this set? What I mean is how many abilities are tied to Pirates and how there could be a couple of different FNM decks that the reveals are hinting towards, but might never reach if Pirates have too many things going on. We have seen this before where Wizards puts too many different abilities or deck focuses on a set type staple and instead of one or two of those strategies being viable they all flop having watered each other down with limited slots in the set list. So far we have "Raid" Pirates, "Explore" Pirates, "Treasure token" Pirates, and "Flying" Pirates. The good news is that some of these mechanics can cross over and be supplemental. Not trying to doom-say, but I am always wary from past experiences when too many mechanics get attached to one creature type in a single set.
Well, the actual pirate mechanic is "raid", all other mechanics (some of which are shared with other tribes, Like explore) support this One: pirates seem to be made to abuse combat phase to trigger raid and other non-keyworded pirate mechanics (like Admiral Beckett Brass).
Imo we will undoubtely see "raid pirates", diversified by the other "lesser" mechanics
Not entirely sure what you mean when you refer to "flying" pirates, at least when you are looking at the themes/mechanics being used on pirates.
And after looking over the spoiler list, I can only see one "exploring" pirate (Deadeye Tracker) so far, so nothing really to consider there.
That leaves just Raid and Treasure. Both of which are very fitting for pirates. We have a good number of pirates with raid, since that is their main mechanic in the set, so is getting plenty of support. And then we have treasure which fits the theme of pirates perfectly, so a good inclusion on them.
So personally seems like there will be plenty of thematic pirate support in this set (and then Rivals as well hoepfully) for maybe at least a couple of different pirate decks. Especially with pirate spread across three colours, it helps to give the different aspects slight a slight uniqueness to them.
But that is just my opinion on the matter, make of it what you will.
It's part of their recent draft archetype design philosophy: let the set's mechanics and deck types permeate throughout multiple color combinations, instead of just trying to create a unique archetype for each color combination. They did it with inspire, with cycling, with revolt etc. It's better this way, as you aren't hinging your entire draft on being the only one in your archetype.
I think that they're trying to capitalize on a very popular market tap of recent commander products, so versatility in a tribe makes a bunch of product need to be bought, so to speak. Also I think that you are eluding to a very real thematic link to past and present mechanics in a standard environment. It's going to be interesting to see how the limited format pans out.
After looking at a couple more spoilers, I think that Pirate may be an overt sub-theme like Artificer was, in the Kaladesh cycle, where it's more thematic the mechanic based. But that's just a theory though.
And it's also a way to connect colours in limited, like how pirates are portrayed from all walks of life and that sort of jazz.
Yeah the only think that really ties Pirates together is that most of them are relatively ugly girls.
From what we have up to this point it looks like you'd be able to build a tempo deck similar to what Gabby played in the Arena presentation, or an all in aggro tokens list with evasive beaters and Makeshift Munitions topped by Admiral Beckett Brass.
The two major themes for Pirates seem to be Raid and Treasure. Raid rewards you for attacking, while Treasure helps you ramp. And much like with Scry or Investigate, Treasure tokens are easily added as a rider to virtually any effect.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MTGS Wikia Article about "New World Order"
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
PSA to everyone who keeps forgetting about the Reserved List:
You're on a website dedicated to talking about MtG. You're only a few keystrokes away from finding out what cards are on the Reserved List. You're also only a few keystrokes away from finding out why some cards on the Reserved List got foil printings in FtV, as Judge promos, or whatnot, as well as why that won't happen again. Stop doing this.
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Standard Deck:
BUPirates
Modern Deck:
B8-Rack
Imo we will undoubtely see "raid pirates", diversified by the other "lesser" mechanics
And after looking over the spoiler list, I can only see one "exploring" pirate (Deadeye Tracker) so far, so nothing really to consider there.
That leaves just Raid and Treasure. Both of which are very fitting for pirates. We have a good number of pirates with raid, since that is their main mechanic in the set, so is getting plenty of support. And then we have treasure which fits the theme of pirates perfectly, so a good inclusion on them.
So personally seems like there will be plenty of thematic pirate support in this set (and then Rivals as well hoepfully) for maybe at least a couple of different pirate decks. Especially with pirate spread across three colours, it helps to give the different aspects slight a slight uniqueness to them.
But that is just my opinion on the matter, make of it what you will.
(W/U)(B/R)GForm of Progenitus, Shape of a Scrubland
BRGJund Tokens with Prossh, the Magic Dragon Foil
URGAnimar, the RUG CleanerFoil
RRRFeldon of the Third Path 2.0 Foil
BG(B/G)Not Another Meren DeckFoil
UR(U/R)Mizzix, Y Control and X Burn Spells
(W/U)(B/R)GHarold Ramos - The 35 Foot Long Twinkie (In +1/+1 counters)
UB(U/B)Dragonlord Silumgar
And it's also a way to connect colours in limited, like how pirates are portrayed from all walks of life and that sort of jazz.
(W/U)(B/R)GForm of Progenitus, Shape of a Scrubland
BRGJund Tokens with Prossh, the Magic Dragon Foil
URGAnimar, the RUG CleanerFoil
RRRFeldon of the Third Path 2.0 Foil
BG(B/G)Not Another Meren DeckFoil
UR(U/R)Mizzix, Y Control and X Burn Spells
(W/U)(B/R)GHarold Ramos - The 35 Foot Long Twinkie (In +1/+1 counters)
UB(U/B)Dragonlord Silumgar
From what we have up to this point it looks like you'd be able to build a tempo deck similar to what Gabby played in the Arena presentation, or an all in aggro tokens list with evasive beaters and Makeshift Munitions topped by Admiral Beckett Brass.
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.